The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-26
editorial Sriets.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.

good" is the hobby Of many ministers in
these days. Did not Jesus mingle with
publicans and sinners? How can you ex-
pect to benefit the bad unless you ac-
quaint yourself with them? The idea is
benevolent, even beautiful. But the expe-
rience of some who have undertaken to
bring the world up by going down to it
suggests that it is perilous business.
Bushnell has remarked with as much
truth as keenness: "The study of con-
formities is a wonderfully delicate mat
ter, which none but man of inhexible
tenacity should ever dare indulge; nor
even he, save as he is high enough lifted
by his faith in God to suffer no bent
downward"
1t is amusing to hear man who has
learned some things new to him in new
place, disparage the old places and all the
things he learned in them. This is what
the populace calls putting on aire." A
growing man is always learning some
thing he did not know before, whether he
remains here or goes there. In new
place he is confronted with some new
things, of course. But let him strike out
what he knew before and he will be the
better able to appreciate the value of his
new learning. The study of Shakespeare
should rather lead us to prize than to un-
dervalue what we long before learned of
grammar.
-Gladstone's roughly drawn paper"
on Tennyson's latest poem, does not at
all deserve the depreciatory description he
gives it in the closing paragraph. 1t is a
firm and delicate piece of literary criti-
cism, and altogether the most mastery
survey of civil, political and social prog.
ress in the British Empire made by any
one since Macaulay. We are surprised,
however, to miss from the rapid glance at
the other nations of Europe any refer
ence to France. On the other hand, we
are gratifed to find the late premier
bearing this unexpected testimony to the
Improvement of the Establishment: "The
clergy of the Anglican church have been
not merely improved but transformed"
On the subject which seems more
than any other to vex the venerable poet
the drift toward agnosticism in religion
and materialism in philosophy - Mr..
Gladstone sreservesD his Judgment. Yet
his pfopf1etie spffi is constrained Co utter
word of warning; "Let us beware of
that initiative luxury which is tempting
all of us to ape our betters. Let us re-
member that in our best achievements lie
hid the seeds of danger; and beware lest
the dethronement of Custom to make
way for Right should displace along with
it that principle of Reverence which be-
tows discipline absolutely invaluable in
the formation of character"
If it turns out to be true, as reported
on apparently good authority, that John
Ruskin has been gathered to the bosom
of the Roman Catholic church, the con-
gratulations cannot be very hearty for
either party. Ruskin has had great in
fluence as teacher in art and in morals,
and as an exempiar and critic in litera-
ture. But his influence is all securely
stored up in his works. OF personal in
! huence he never had much, and that little
has been growing less with his declining
years. One of his griefs has been that SO
few of the people who read and admired
him would take his advice or adopt some
of his most cherished theories. He has
naturally grown to feel that the world is
going to the bad; and, it seems, he de-
cides now to step out of it.
When John Henry Newman went to
Rome he was in "all his glorious prime"
He was an eminent theologian, too, and
he carried with him both great repute
and great capacity Of being useful to
pope and propaganda. But Ruskin has
had his day, he never was more than a
novice in religion, and what he takes to
the papacy is but splendid name. This
is not insignificant, for it is name of
which Englishmen will always be proud.
1t is not strange that men, in whom rev.
erence for the past has become almost an
idolatry, and who are untitled by taste
and organization to get any good out OF
modern thought and life, should turn
wearily away from what they do not un-
derstand and cannot enjoy, and hide
themselves in the refuge of Rome.
The Advance appears to think it has
detected those ministers and professors"
who represent the new departure" in a
great wickedness, because they are will
ing to keep up their contributions to the
American Board in order that their full
rights before it may not be legally i'm
paired. Who are these "ministers and
professors" Congregational clergymen
of the highest character and eminent in
their profession. Have they not an equal
standing in the body with the AdUaRce
and the ministers and professors? Their
relations to the Board are the same with
those OF other Congregationalists. The
Advance says they prepare to pay that
they may fight; but our esteemed con-
temporary prepares to fight whether it
pays for the privilege or not Shall not
the fight be equally free to all?
Heaven begun is the living proof that
makes the heaven to come credible. "Chris.